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Learning to Sign, Life Changing

To be able to communicate with sign language offers freedom to those who cannot hear, says a Timaru woman who was born deaf.

Julie Nielson’s mother contracted german measles (rubella) during her pregnancy, resulting in her daughter’s deafness. Ms Nielson did not learn sign language until she was a teenager but wishes she had known it earlier.

To celebrate New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week (13-19 May), Deaf Aotearoa is calling on all New Zealanders to learn at least some signs.